Thinking about switching to EB
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Melbourne, Aus
Programs: TG*G VA Plat
Posts: 272
Thinking about switching to EB
Hey guys,
I'm a TG ROP member whos just moved from Australia to Norway. My flying is usually 2 or 3 return MEL-OSL trips each year, plus the occasional trip to the US.
I've always been a TG member and have enjoyed the privlidges of *G with them, particulary the two year validity of the *G and the GUP (guranteed gold upgrade) given on reaching *G each time around.
However, since moving to Norway, I'm wondering if I should switch to EB. Most of my Australia - Norway flights are done in either C or and a C/Y combination with SK C to BKK and then TG Y to Australia. One of the things I like about EB is that you get 200% for the C class travel, and as a Norway resident I only need to get to 45000 basic points.
I've had a good read thru the FAQ and the EB page on the SAS website, but I would like somebody to explain what sort of basic points I will earn on *A flights. I realise that on the SAS flights I get basic points as displayed in the tables, but when I fly, say UA K class SYD-SFO, how are my basic points calculated? Is it done on miles flown like other airlines or some other way. I understand it depends on the booking class
Another bonus to switching would be the EB Mastercard.
Also, what are upgrade availability like on the long haul flights. CPH-BKK, CPH-NYC etc.
I read alot of bad things about EB, but alot of that seems to be centered around the 25% earning rate but since all my flying is long haul, it would all be in at least V class, or in C.
Thanks for any and all input,
Cheersm
AB
I'm a TG ROP member whos just moved from Australia to Norway. My flying is usually 2 or 3 return MEL-OSL trips each year, plus the occasional trip to the US.
I've always been a TG member and have enjoyed the privlidges of *G with them, particulary the two year validity of the *G and the GUP (guranteed gold upgrade) given on reaching *G each time around.
However, since moving to Norway, I'm wondering if I should switch to EB. Most of my Australia - Norway flights are done in either C or and a C/Y combination with SK C to BKK and then TG Y to Australia. One of the things I like about EB is that you get 200% for the C class travel, and as a Norway resident I only need to get to 45000 basic points.
I've had a good read thru the FAQ and the EB page on the SAS website, but I would like somebody to explain what sort of basic points I will earn on *A flights. I realise that on the SAS flights I get basic points as displayed in the tables, but when I fly, say UA K class SYD-SFO, how are my basic points calculated? Is it done on miles flown like other airlines or some other way. I understand it depends on the booking class
Another bonus to switching would be the EB Mastercard.
Also, what are upgrade availability like on the long haul flights. CPH-BKK, CPH-NYC etc.
I read alot of bad things about EB, but alot of that seems to be centered around the 25% earning rate but since all my flying is long haul, it would all be in at least V class, or in C.
Thanks for any and all input,
Cheersm
AB
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Europe
Programs: AC Elite *G :: LH Sen *G :: IC Royal Amb :: PC Plat :: HH Diamond
Posts: 2,000
I left EB years ago for various reasons… look around here on the SAS board to read all about the devaluation of the program.
Stick with TG ROP, switch to M&M (which is good when traveling premium classes) or take a look at BD (many around here seems like that program) with it’s easy elite qualification and the possibility use miles+cash for rewards.
Stick with TG ROP, switch to M&M (which is good when traveling premium classes) or take a look at BD (many around here seems like that program) with it’s easy elite qualification and the possibility use miles+cash for rewards.
#4
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: KRS/ Norway
Programs: EBG
Posts: 307
Resently SK is offering lower price in C to BKK then TG. After completing 3 TG flights in C this summer, I must say that their service has dropped a lot since last year, and the food they serve is below the standards of their competitors.
You say you fly SK in C to BKK, and then I must say that I would have chosen EB insted of ROP. I give you some reasons:
If you have EB silver, you get 15% more points on SK flights, and if you have EB Gold you get 25% more points on SK flights.
For EBGold you need 45 000 points yearly. In ROP you need 50 000.
If flying biz class you get 200% EB points, but only 125% ROP points regardless of wich StarA metall you fly.
If you are doing intra-european legs on SK, you will earn more points with EB then ROP, as of ROP will calculate the actual milage, but EB has a fixed point pr leg policy. So OSL-ZRH in biz with SK gives 2400 points (plus 15/25% if silver/gold) and ROP will only give 1800.
So if I where you, I would definatly change to EB.
BFN
You say you fly SK in C to BKK, and then I must say that I would have chosen EB insted of ROP. I give you some reasons:
If you have EB silver, you get 15% more points on SK flights, and if you have EB Gold you get 25% more points on SK flights.
For EBGold you need 45 000 points yearly. In ROP you need 50 000.
If flying biz class you get 200% EB points, but only 125% ROP points regardless of wich StarA metall you fly.
If you are doing intra-european legs on SK, you will earn more points with EB then ROP, as of ROP will calculate the actual milage, but EB has a fixed point pr leg policy. So OSL-ZRH in biz with SK gives 2400 points (plus 15/25% if silver/gold) and ROP will only give 1800.
So if I where you, I would definatly change to EB.
BFN
#5
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: MAN, ARN
Programs: BA Gold, BD *S, VS Gold, AFKL Petro Club
Posts: 584
Also note that EB usually doesn't give confirmed upgrades, it's an at-the-gate thing.
I guess you've considered the oneworld (BA/QF) option too?
#6
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: OSL
Programs: SK EBG *G, Flying Blue Silver, Hertz President Circle, Hilton H Gold, Starwood Gold, BA Silver
Posts: 172
Go with Eurobonus, One R/T OSL-MEL in C will put you a few thousand short of EBG. SAS is generall good with op ups, you can use points to upgrade from all booking classes, and the 15/25%. If you do a lot of US you can also consider CO who will join *A in a few months, they have direct EWR service. SAS also has the EB Mastercard that allows me to rack up a ton of miles
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Melbourne, Aus
Programs: TG*G VA Plat
Posts: 272
Thanks for the replies guys.
The biggest advantage for me is the 200% in C class. As was said above, one of my OSL-MEL returns would put me just short of gold for the year, as opposed to TG who only offer 125%.
I guess the thing I like about TG is that their upgade availability is not too bad and can be confirmed at time of reservation. A quick look with KVS/ANA Tool for the US and BKK routes looks like SK doesn't have too many upgrade seats available.
Can anybody just tell me how the basic miles for other *A flights are calculated? Ie, SYD-SFO with UA? How many miles would this earn. Is it done on the miles flown?
Cheers,
AB
The biggest advantage for me is the 200% in C class. As was said above, one of my OSL-MEL returns would put me just short of gold for the year, as opposed to TG who only offer 125%.
I guess the thing I like about TG is that their upgade availability is not too bad and can be confirmed at time of reservation. A quick look with KVS/ANA Tool for the US and BKK routes looks like SK doesn't have too many upgrade seats available.
Can anybody just tell me how the basic miles for other *A flights are calculated? Ie, SYD-SFO with UA? How many miles would this earn. Is it done on the miles flown?
Cheers,
AB
#8
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Finland
Programs: too many to list
Posts: 709
where the fare class multiplier can be:
- 2.0 (200%) for (most) business and first
- 1.0 (100%) for "normal" economy (and some business, like with AC)
- 0.25 (25%) for low economy
Whether a given fare class belongs to "normal" economy or low economy depends on the airline flown.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Melbourne, Aus
Programs: TG*G VA Plat
Posts: 272
The basic rule is (Mileage rounded up to nearest 100) * (fare class multiplier)
where the fare class multiplier can be:
- 2.0 (200%) for (most) business and first
- 1.0 (100%) for "normal" economy (and some business, like with AC)
- 0.25 (25%) for low economy
Whether a given fare class belongs to "normal" economy or low economy depends on the airline flown.
where the fare class multiplier can be:
- 2.0 (200%) for (most) business and first
- 1.0 (100%) for "normal" economy (and some business, like with AC)
- 0.25 (25%) for low economy
Whether a given fare class belongs to "normal" economy or low economy depends on the airline flown.
Thanks Ramo
So the bonuses apply to common Biz class with *A carriers as well, not just SAS? Ie J/C/D with TG will give me 200%?
#10
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: MAN, ARN
Programs: BA Gold, BD *S, VS Gold, AFKL Petro Club
Posts: 584
http://www.flybmi.com/bmi/src/html/d...earnmiles.html
2x miles with DC as well. No 15/25% bonus, but better redemption rates, especially part cash part miles. In your case, I really think you'd be shooting yourself in the foot if you choose EB over DC.
2x miles with DC as well. No 15/25% bonus, but better redemption rates, especially part cash part miles. In your case, I really think you'd be shooting yourself in the foot if you choose EB over DC.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tampere
Programs: BA EC Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,237
Originally Posted by Gustaf
...take a look at BD (many around here seems like that program) with it’s easy elite qualification and the possibility use miles+cash for rewards.
Originally Posted by Echo J
I'll second bmi's diamond club. Good earn rates, and excellent redemption rates. Not too hard to reach *G either.
Originally Posted by Echo J
I really think you'd be shooting yourself in the foot if you choose EB over DC.
cheers,
Henry
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Melbourne, Aus
Programs: TG*G VA Plat
Posts: 272
The problem with bmi is that I never fly with them. Its TG or SK to Oz several times a year. No real intra Europe travel, just several long hauls.
Cheers for the replies guys
AB
Cheers for the replies guys
AB
#13
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Dubai
Programs: EY Silver, SPG Platinum
Posts: 240
also regarding the Lufthansa ownership of bmi and possiblity of it changing to Miles&Less - according to a German newspaper there is word that Lufthansa are trying to sell their stake in bmi now so it could stay Diamond Club for a while longer.
#14
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Finland
Programs: too many to list
Posts: 709
The full details can be found at http://www.flysas.com/en/EuroBonus/S...onus/Airlines/.
#15
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Oslo
Programs: EB*G, BD*G, HH Silver, FB, AA, SPG, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 1,056
I would say if your're travelling alot in C and mainly with SAS, Eurobonus isn't too bad and if I was in that situation, I would go for Eurobonus. The problems first occur when you stuck in low-eco......